FAS2020 Active/Active Configuration

[doug_dockter]

I have a dual controller FAS2020 set up in an active/active configuration.  Do the configurations for each controller need to be exactly the same for this to work in the advent of a takeover?  By that I mean do the same protocols need to be started, the network interfaces set up the same way (VIF), etc.

[mhouser]

Hi Doug -

The Active/Active Configuration Guide gives requirements for the various active/active configurations - for example Setup requirements and restrictions for standard active/active configurations  states among other things:

• Nodes must be attached to the same network and the Network Interface Cards (NICs) must be configured correctly.
• The same system software, such as Common Internet File System (CIFS), Network File System (NFS), or SyncMirror, must be licensed and enabled on both nodes.

Note:

If a takeover occurs, the takeover node can provide only the functionality for the licenses installed on it. If the takeover node does not have a license that was being used by the partner node to serve data, your active/active configuration loses functionality after a takeover.

You can find the Active/Active Config Guide for your version of Data ONTAP at:

http://now.netapp.com/NOW/knowledge/docs/ontap/ontap_index.shtml

Also, the Active/Active Best Practices Guide my provide some help.

Hope this is some help,

Marty Houser

Senior Technical Writer

NetApp